Would prefer to hear the answer from oneworld4U... In any event, if linked PNRs are not the solution, what is?

The solution is to keep your itineraries under 16 sectors.

It is no fantasy that OneWorld benefits from a reduction in maximum flight segments -- it's a FACT. They sell a ticket for the same price that has 4 less flights (potentially). That frees up a seat that otherwise would not have been available for sale.

The downloadable PC timetable is great. However, every so often when I start it up it tells me there's a new version to download, which then takes a minute or so. It would be great if there was an option to have it keep itself up-to-date automatically by downloading/installing new versions when they appeared - and thus remove the start-up delay to install a new version.

I'm sorry, I should I have made myself clearer - I meant, was there actually a feasible technical solution for this that would have permitted QF to continue offering 20 segments?

It is not QF that is no longer offering 20 segments, it is oneworld. - it is a OW product, OW has changed the rules to make it 16 segemnts rather than 20. Don't go blaming QF for this.

Dave

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Bukhara - some people here do value your input

I don't see why wanting oneworld4u to address this issue is a knock on Bukhara's input. Oneworld4u has stated that the reason for imposing the 16 segment limitation was due to IATA changes and that would consider expanding the number back to 20 when technological advances allowed that. We are still awaiting oneworld4u's response to the suggestion that was made. Sure Bukhara doesn't see it as viable and I certainly value his opinion (as a BA insider) but I myself would still like to hear the official representative's response to that suggestion and to the quote I provided from the IATA's eticketing program manager that 16 segment eticketing is "not a showstopper" for longer rtw tickets.

bbbbbbb

Nope, wasn't blaming QF (I am a devoted customer, without being an apologist...) Fundamentally, I am curious to know whether the 16 segment rule (regardless of which organisaiton imposes such rules) was introduced purely as a consequence of technical limitations stemming from the phasing out of paper tickets, because the previous posts on this issue by oneworld4U seem a bit inconclusive/unclear to me. Like many who read and enjoy flyertalk fora, I am not an industry insider or expert, so a response in reasonably plain english would be nice. If other posters insist on answering for oneworld4U, then I suppose I can't stop them, but it would be helpful if the focus could remain on the purpose of this particular forum and all of the apparent "baggage" from previous debates could be left out...

As the FT blog on the 16-segment limit for oneworld Explorer (and other airline round-the-world fares) shows no sign of abating, let�s get back to some basics.

oneworld Explorer enables customers to develop their own bespoke itineraries choosing from more than 9,000 flights a day offered by ten airlines and another 20 affiliates serving some 700 destinations in 150 countries, flying in First, Business, Premium Economy or Economy.

That provides customers with huge choice and flexibility � but, like other round-the-world fares � it also makes it among the most complex of air fares to develop and market.

To make it as easy as possible for travel agents and airline reservations folk to sell and support and for the average customer to plan and buy, we have endeavoured to reduce the complexity as much as possible.

That�s just one reason why Explorer pricing is based on the number of continents visited, rather than mileage flown.

It also means using systems and procedures as far as possible that are in common usage throughout the industry and easily understood by the average travel agent.

With the entire air travel industry moving to a 16-segment limit for individual e-tickets a few months ago, Explorer has followed.

Can you imagine the complexity in supporting the sale of a product not based on these global industry-wide standards? Can you imagine the number of FT blogs that would flow as a result of sales agents around the world being unfamiliar with the additional idiosyncrasies of such a fare? How many of the participants of this forum for experts and enthusiasts, let alone the standard small town travel agent, have heard of such a thing as �linked PNRs�, quite apart from understanding how they may work?

So, sorry Viajero, Hugh and others, but linked PNRs is not regarded as a practical procedure for this product at this time.

As it is, very, very few people used Explorer for journeys of more than 16 segments � the exceptions seem to be FT regulars! Of course we do not want to disappoint any customers, but to continue to make this product marketable, saleable and supportable around the world has meant making the 16-segment change.

We still believe this product represents excellent value for money and, for the vast majority of Explorer�s users, the 16-segment change has had no impact whatsoever.

As for the British sky being yellow (Bukhara), as everyone knows, it is predominantly grey and white with a rare and occasional smattering of blue during daylight hours. At night, black is its dominant tone, except in cities where light pollution taints it orange� or even yellow!

Happy and safe travelling - and, as ever, thanks for your interest in and support of oneworld.

oneworld4u - thank you for (hopefully) putting that issue to bed.

You will find that many discussions on FT seem to go round in circles. The alliance sites (which combine posters from airline forums with their own idionsyncracies) are probably even worse!

The other key question for many posters on this thread, which I believe remains unanswered (and relates to the 16-segment limit) is:

Is it possible to use City codes on oneworld fares (eg LON rather than LHR/LGW/LCY, NYC rather than JFK/LGA/EWR)?
and thus save burning short land segments where OW airlines connect into different airports.

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Oneworld4u

Could you read this thread

There are serious quite extraordinary problems getting Malev flights to post to other one world frequent flyer accounts especially to BA executive club.
There are ridiculous patently untrue reasons given in some cases that the person is a no show.

Have you heard about this problem as frankly it's unacceptable and could you bring it to the attention of someone in both oneworld and Malev that can END the problem ?
I've flown 6 sectors with them recently and only 3 have appeared , the others have gone missing.
Some people have had to retro claim claims being rejected several times despite having all the required evidence of having taken the flights.

Could you assure us that the matter is being and will be taken in hand and keep us up to date (perhaps in that thread) as to what the REAL problem is and progress as to fixing it.

Thank you.